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Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch
Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick announces the resignation of Herd men's basketball coach Tom Herrion on Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Shewey Building in Huntington. Herrion finishes with a record of 67-67 in four years, with 41 of those losses coming in the last two years with the Herd.

Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch
Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick announces the resignation of Herd men's basketball coach Tom Herrion on Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Shewey Building in Huntington. Herrion finishes with a record of 67-67 in four years, with 41 of those losses coming in the last two years with the Herd.

Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch
Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick announces the resignation of Herd men's basketball coach Tom Herrion on Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Shewey Building in Huntington. Herrion finishes with a record of 67-67 in four years, with 41 of those losses coming in the last two years with the Herd.

MU's Herrion resigns

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HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick broke it down into the most basic of terms.

"We just didn't win enough basketball games," said Hamrick during a press conference Friday to announce the resignation of Herd head basketball coach Tom Herrion. "I don't know how to say that or couch that.

"We just didn't win enough basketball games."

Instead, Marshall lost too many.

MU had an 11-22 record in 2013-14, which were the most losses in one season since Ron Jirsa's squad went 6-22 in 2004-05 and Dwight Freeman's team was 7-22 in 1991-92.

Marshall lost a total of 41 games during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons under Herrion.

That's the most defeats during a two-season span in Marshall's basketball history and it directly led to the end of Herrion's four-year tenure as head coach.

"Tom came to the conclusion that it would be best for him to resign," said Hamrick.

Herrion, who initially signed a five-year contract and was given a one-year extension after the 2011-12 season, has two years remaining on his pact. The school owes Herrion $571,000 in a buyout that must be paid in a lump sum in 30 days.

"That will be paid with ticket revenue and private money," said Hamrick.

Herrion hasn't spoken publicly about his resignation, but did release a statement.

"After meeting with Mike earlier today, I have decided that is is in the best interest of all parties that I resign my position as head basketball coach at Marshall University," he said. "I greatly appreciate the opportunity that was given to me and will cherish the last four years and the many great people I have met and the memorable moments we achieved.

"My family and I enjoyed being a part of the Marshall and greater Huntington community. We wish the entire Thundering Herd nation great success moving forward."

Herrion's overall record at Marshall was 67-67.

That's not the level of success Hamrick wants, however.

"Basketball is crucial to our success," said the athletic director. "We have to be successful in basketball and I think we can. I have high expectations. I sensed apathy within our fan base this season. We saw the lack of enthusiasm.

"But we can be good in basketball. We can be successful in basketball. Marshall fans love good, exciting basketball."

So, now, Hamrick will search for the 29th head coach in Marshall's basketball history to deliver that success.

"We will start our search immediately," said Hamrick. "I will not comment on names in this coaching search. I just cannot do that. It's not fair to the process.

"Maybe we'll have a press conference tomorrow or maybe next week or maybe in two weeks."

Until then, such Marshall assistant coaches as Mark Cline, Dino Presley and Josh King will run the program, remaining under contract until June.

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